Factors Influencing Student’s Choice for a Senior High School Academic Track

Vallente, Cleo Bernadette M.

Albia, Ian Jephonie
Gayosa, John Michael Vincent
Dollaga, Kaiser Vim
Nobleza, Marcho
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers would like to acknowledge with sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude and

appreciation, the special persons who contributed much for the fulfillment of this study.

To our ever supportive Mrs. lora Anar, our research professor, for her brilliant ideas and

substantial knowledge, for her constructive criticisms which serves us our foundation and

challenge for the success of our teaching profession.

To our thesis adviser, Mrs. Ma. Zaida Caterial, for her effort, patience, immeasurable

support, guidance and concern in making this research study possible.

To our panel members, for their constructive comments to improve this study.

To our parents, for their uncounted support, emotionally, morally, spiritually and most of all

financially.

To our friends and love ones who give their support, cheers and encouragements.

To the respondents who cooperatively and honestly answered the questionnaires.

To the teacher who gives their support in making this research paper.

Above all, to our almighty Father, the source of everything, for giving us guidance and

strength to hurdle all the obstacles in making this research successful.

To all of you. Thank you very much.

 Contents

Title i
Certification ii
Approval sheet iii
Acknowledgement iv
Dedication v
Table of contents vi
Abstract vii

Chapter Page

1 The Problem

Introduction 1

Framework of the Study 3

Statement of the Problem 7

Significance of the Study 7

Delimitation of the Study 9

Definition of Terms 10

2 Review of literature

Factors Influencing Students Choice for a Course 11

Summary 13

3 Methodology

Research Locale 15

Participants of the Study 17

Sampling Procedure 18

Scoring Procedure 19
 The Administration of the instrument 20

Treatment of Data 20

4 Presentation, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data

Factors on Student Decision in Choosing

Academic Track in Academic Experience 21

Factors on Student Decision in Choosing

Academic Track in Educational 22
aspiration/expectation

Factors on Student Decision in Choosing 23

Academic Track in Advice of Others

Factors on Student Decision in Choosing

Academic Track in Peer and Friends Influence 24

Factors on Student Decision in Choosing 25

Academic Track in Family Background

Summary on the Factors that can affect

Students Decision 26

5 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

Summary 27

Findings 28

Conclusion 28

Recommendation 29

References 30
Appendices

Appendix A: Questionnaire for the student 31

Appendix B: Dean Approval Letter 35
Appendix C: Permission Letter of the School
Administrators to Conduct the 36
Research
Curriculum Vitae 37

List of Tables

Table Page

1 Factors on Student Decision in Choosing 21

Academic Track in Academic Experience

2 Factors on Student Decision in Choosing 22

Academic Track in Educational
aspiration/expectation

3 Factors on Student Decision in Choosing 23

Academic Track in Advice of Others

4 Factors on Student Decision in Choosing 24

Academic Track in Peer and Friends Influence

5 Factors on Student Decision in Choosing 25

Academic Track in Family Background

6 Summary on the Factors that can affect 26

Students Decision
 List of Figures

Figure Page
The Schematic Diagram Showing 6
the relationship between the independent
and dependent Variables

The Map of Bukidnon National High School 16

 ABSTRACT

Valliente M. Cleo Bernadette, Ian Jephonie G. Albia, John Michael Vincent M. Gayosa, Kaiser
Vim Dollaga, Marcho B. Nobleza. Bukidnon, State, University, March 2016, Evaluative
Feedback on the Factors Influencing the Students in Choosing Course.

This study sought to select the factors influencing the students in choosing course of

Bukidnon, National High School. Specifically, the study wanted to answer the following factors:

Academic Experience, Educational Aspiration/ Expectation, Advice of Others, Friends/ Peer

Influence; and Family Background. These was described by determining the Mean and Standard

Deviation of the Senior High School. This study involved One Hundred Seventy Nine

respondents of Senior High School Students school year 2015 – 2016. The result showed that

majority of the defendants partial by Educational aspiration/expectation. Advice or advise from

others is the less factor subjective to the Senior High School. Based in the survey on what

Factors Influencing the Students in Choosing a Course of selected Senior High School, most of

them choose the Academic Aspiration/ Expectation.

 Chapter 1

The Problem

Introduction

Choosing and deciding on something have consequences. The results of what you have

chosen can either help you, it will hinder you in the future. It is also the same with the course that

you will have to decide. In choosing a course, there are a lot of factors that the student must

consider. According to Boyer (1987), “in taking a course, one of the life’s major decision is

being made. A lot of time, money, and effort will be involved. The shape and excellence of the

student’s life may rest on the result.” In choosing a junior, senior academic track, a student

should take a risk. F. Yates, Veinotte, & Patalano (2003) define a decision as “…a commitment

to a course of action that is intended to produce a satisfying state of affairs.” A student will

choose a course which he/she will be studying throughout his/her college years, and decision-

making should take part and should not take for granted. The decision of which course to take is

one of the farthest decisions for a student especially those who are graduating High school

students.

Making decision implies that there are choices to be considered, and in such case we

want only to identify as many of these alternatives as possible but to choose the one that best fits

with our goals, objectives, desires, values and so on. (Harris (1980)) Decision making is the best

way to get one’s satisfaction, and considered as the best-required thing to do to have a successful

and a very satisfying life. One decent decision that a person will do can make a huge impact in
his or her life. Decision-making happens in people, and some are for their future. This career

choosing requires mature and severe discussion since their choice will decide

What their future will be. Selecting an upcoming course consists of different factors that will

influence their decisions.

As observed, the students that usually took the course that they don’t like to affect their

grades. For example, as a researcher, we even encounter having a hard time on deciding what

course to take and ended up having the course that our parents wants us to take. At first, it was

good for taking the course but as the time goes by it will become dull finding out that it does not

meet your interest. Hence, the grades will then become little and ended up thinking of shifting

from another course.

Consequently, the grades of a student will affect the performance of a child if deciding

what course to take will take for granted. This study aims to help the students be aware that there

are lots of factors that should considered before deciding what course to take. The grade is to

make the students realize that before they end up taking a certain course, it should be well

planned to avoid regrets in the end.

Choosing a career path can help you set professional goals and develop a strategy for

getting where you want to be. Part of selecting an appropriate career path involves making an

honest self-evaluation of your talents, skills, and interests. While elements of your path may

change over time due to choice or circumstance, having an overall professional objective with

which to guide yourself will help you make critical decisions with greater clarity. Your choice of

profession can dictate where you live and may affect if and when you marry and have a family.
Choosing a career path can help you make other important life decisions. Achieving a

satisfactory work-life balance can be a trial for many professionals, but profession criticizing can

Help to minimize some of this stress. When you choose a career path, you site yourself to look

far into the future at your ultimate objectives. Taking a career path can help you identify

positions you want to hold and income stages you want to achieve. It can also support to guide

you in building your personal and professional networks in the industry in which you’re

interested. Having long-term goals in place will help you stay focused on your decisive career

objectives, rather than moving meaninglessly from job to job.

Students’ career success can attain if proper guidance is in choosing the right course in

college, suited to pupils’ personality, ability, and intellect. Helping student chooses the career

that suits them can be done by integrating career plan with the curriculum so that students can

make good decisions in what course to take in college. A collaborative effort of the school

administrations, guidance counselor and parents should also be made to come up with a better

career plan for every individual student.

The purpose of the study was to identify factors that influence students’ choices. For this

persistence, the existing study employed a case study to understand college students’ choices, by

selecting the students in the Bukidnon National High School.

Framework of the Study

A course can have a lot to say about the employment prospects of job seekers it is

important that incoming students take some time to evaluate options. A path can make great

impact for your future which plays a great role on what you will become, that is why, as a
graduating high school student, it is important to consider various options that will affect your

choices on what course to take in college.

The academic experience is a work experience obtained in an academic environment of the

respondent. Educational experience refers to the problem on the academic knowledge of the

defendants, and the general average of the grades).

Educational aspiration refers to the wants, ambition, and expectation among the grade 10

students. Educational aspiration denotes the determination of a student with the skills, capacity

and abilities. Parents, in particular, have been seen as the most significant others in shaping

aspirations because they provide the opportunities, encouragement, and support for their children

are teaching (Garg et al., 2002). For students who have aspirations and expectations for their

future, they have perseverance in pursuing their studies.

The advice of others refers to the people around the students. These are the advice of

every people around among students. There can be a good advice that student can get, and there

can be a bad one also. Advice of others is one of the factors that the students might choose

whether they will base their decision from the advice of other which includes the guidance

counsellor, parents and some seek advice from the students. This factor can either mark and may

change the perspective of a learner.

Friends/peer influence refer to the influence that friends or peer gives to the students.

This factor effects students’ decision in choosing a course since, as a teenager it is important for

you to feel accepted in a group. There are different effects when a student refers all his/her
decision on his/her peer or friends. Sometimes, friends or peers can affect your decision like for

example if most of your friends will decide to choose a course which is related to business,

You want to belong to a group will affect your decision and tend to end up taking a degree where

they as a friend or peer wants.

Family background refers to the kind of family and kind of surroundings of the student.

Parents' education is a powerful predictor of their children's educational attainment (Haveman,

1993). Parents’ information may affect a students’ decision in choosing course since, studying in

college requires that you are financially prepare. On this study, parents’ information may

contribute to the unlimited effect of students’ decision on what course that he/she should take. In

this area, socio-economic factor will gross place.

 6

Factors that has the greatest Influence on

Student’s Decision in Choosing a Senior

High School Academic Track

Academic experience

Educational aspirations/expectations
Senior High School Academic
Advise and advice of Others
Track

Friends/peer influence

Family Background
Figure1. A Schematic diagram showing the relationship between the independent and dependent

variable.

Statement of the Problem

This study is to determine the different factors influencing the students in choosing a

course in the secondary level of Bukidnon National High School in Fortich St., Malaybalay City

during the school year 2015-2016.

Specifically, it answered the following question:

1. What factor has the greatest influence on the grade 10 students in choosing an academic

track

1.1 Academic Experience;

1.2 Educational Aspiration/ Expectation;

1.3 Advice and advise of Others;

1.4 Friends/ Peer Influence; and

1.5 Family Background?

Significance of the Study

These studies have significance to several areas. First, the results of this study will be

beneficial to students, their parents and high school counsellors in providing insights into college

selection process. Moreover, the findings “may provide a useful tool for self-discovery by

providing a framework for assessing appropriate college choices. The outcome of this study

should support the students in choosing the correct and suitable degree for them.
 This study helps the students who are an incoming senior high school to determine the

considerations in selecting college degree. They must consider their interest, natural skills,

abilities, aims and rewards. This study will help them to develop their decision-making ability.

Many

Students make the wrong decision because they don’t take time in thinking what to choose. This

research will be a big help for the students who are confused on what to take. This exploration

will serve as their awareness and to help young people find their career direction contributes

directionless of youth. Grade 10 students use online resources to guide students into specific

career clusters. It will help the student to know the factors influence’s them in choosing college

degree. The main factors that affect them are family background, socio-economic income, and

the general average during high school and the demanding course during the year.

This study will also help the junior and senior high school guidance counsellor. The

students career success can best attained if proper guidance was given in choosing the right

course in college, suited to students personality, ability, and intellect. Helping student chooses

the career that suits them can finished by integrating career plan with the curriculum enable the

students can make a worthy decision in what course to take in college. A collaborative effort of

the high school guidance counsellor should also be made to end with the better career plan for

every individual student.

This study will help all the parents that serve as a main influence in their children’s career

development and career decision-making. Parents want their offspring to find happiness and

success in life, and one factor which influences happiness and success is a career
choice. Research also indicates that when students feel supported and loved by their parents,

they have more confidence in their ability to research careers and to choose a career that would

be interesting and exciting. This is significant because studies display that adolescents, who feel

competent regarding career decision-making, tend to make more satisfying career choices later in

life. Parents influence the level of education or training that their children

achieve knowledge they have about work and different occupations. The beliefs and attitudes

they have to work, and the motivation they have to succeed. Most of this was learned

unconsciously – children and teenagers absorb their parent’s attitudes and expectations of them

as they grow up.

This paper is not only benefited to the students only but also for the parents etc. because

as observed, most students who chose the course which is not really the course that they want

affects their performance in school, mostly because they will lose their interest and they will find

it boring which causes their grades to be little. This study help them be aware that choosing a

college degree should not be taken for granted and should consider the different factors to avoid

conflicts.

Delimitation of the Study

This study deals with the factors influencing students in choosing junior, senior academic

track at Bukidnon National High School during the school year 2015-2016. The study was

focused on the grade 10 students in Bukidnon National High School who are having a hard time

deciding on what course to take.

 The data was gathered using the questionnaire on the factors influencing students’

decision in choosing a college degree from Bucong (2010) and patterned from the work of

Beltran (1993). This examination was given to 179 respondents out of 986 grade 10 students in

Bukidnon National High School.

10

Definition of Terms

For better understanding of the footings used in the study, these were defined

theoretically and operationally:

The Course is term refers to a degree given to students of a higher learning institution signifying

obligatory credits have obtained in exact areas of study. There are several levels of college

degrees ranging from an Associate's degree to a Doctoral degree.

Factors in this study this refers to the circumstance, person, condition, or influence that bring

about a certain effect; family background, academic experience, recommend of others, and

educational aspiration. These are some of the factors that could affect students’ decision in

choosing a college degree.

 Chapter 2

Review of Literature

This chapter presents the literature relevant to the concept of the present study. It also

analyses some studies and materials from the Internet to provide sufficient background and

information essential for the accomplishment of this study. It sought to collect claims of previous

studies about Factors Influencing Students’ Choice junior, senior academic track.

Factors Influencing the Student’s in Choosing a Course.

There are several factors that impact the students from high school seniors’ decision in

what course they should take. From the phases that have proposed by Jackson, which could

affect a student’s decision in finding a decent course, there is still a relevant factors in it.

According to investigation, Career selection is one of many important choices students

will make in determining future plans. This decision will impart them throughout their lives. The

essence of who the student is will revolve around what the student want to do with their life-

long work. The choice of career has been a serious problem among the secondary school students
in Nigeria. No matter what one’s age is, the choice of career or desire is an important question

for everybody. A lot of student in secondary schools believe that their future is a glorious

adventures in which they are bound to succeed. Many of them have the idea that they would be

able to work in the public or private establishments as soon as they complete secondary school

education.

12

How students have seen themselves in a role in which personality is a determining factor

may influence a chosen course. Some course demand that you have the personality to match the

qualities of the occupation. For example, sales people have to be out- going. Splaver (2000) said

“personality” plays an important role in the choosing of the right course. A student’s personality

must be self-motivated type, as to investigate courses possibilities from early on in their lives,

and not the procrastinating type that waits till they are compelled to decide. Students must take

seriously the role grades play in limiting opportunities in the future. Splaver went on to say “It is

important for you to have a good understanding of yourself, your personality, if you are to make

intelligent upcoming plans”. (Splaver 2000, p. 12). Opportunity is the third factor that has shaped

career choices for students. Opportunity may influence how students have perceived their future

in terms of the reasonable probability of a future in particular career fields. The issue of poverty

has played an important determining role in the opportunities available to all.

Socioeconomic status is a factor that influences the predisposition, search, and choice

stages of the college choice process (Cabrera & Nasa, 2000). Rendering to the National Centre

for Education Statistics’ Descriptive Summary of 2003-2004 Beginning Postsecondary Students:

Thirty percent of dependent start postsecondary students at 4-year organizations came from
peoples with annual incomes of 92,000 or more, matched with 17 percent of those at two-year

foundations and 4 percent of those at less than two year associations. Paulsen (1990) noticed that

when tuition expenses, room and board costs, and distance from home increased; the college

option became less attractive to students.

However, these effects are significantly bigger for students at lower income levels those

with lower ability. At higher levels of student income and aptitude, these effects

13

Become less important (Paulsen, 1990, p. 27). Hossler (2000), reviewing several meta-analyses

on the effects of financial aid on enrollment choices.

A high school Academic resource is a factor that influences the predisposition and search

stages of the college choice process (Cabrera & Nasa, 2000). According to some research, High

School academic factor has an impact on the college choice process of all students, with the

greatest impact on minority and low SES students (Rowe, 2002).

Parental encouragement and support is a factor that influences the predisposition, search,

and choice stages of the college choice process while collegiate parental experiences and

parental saving for college affect the inclination stage (Cabrera & Nasa, 2000.). Bers and

Galowtch (2002) found that research shows that parents of four-year college students often play

important roles throughout the college choice process, regarding setting expectations for their

children and taking the most positive approach of debating college plans and redeemable for

college expenses.

Summary
 Choosing a course track should consider different factors in order to come a virtuous

decision. As observed most of the students in college has a course that been chooses by parents

they should take up. Most of them have the tendency to have lower grades because they found

the course is not interested. There are different effects on students if the course that they take is

not relevant to the development that they want. A few of them will continue the course they have

and some will decide to shift or if not, their grades are low. Some students who have

14

the course that they don’t want to tend not to take the course seriously and their goal will only to

graduate.

There are some factors that impact the students from high school seniors’ decision in

what path they should take. Choosing a course should not be taken for granted and this study

aims to know what would be the stations of the Senior High School students in Bukidnon State

University in choosing a course based on the results of the survey gave to them. In this case, the

study will conclude what could be the things that the students should consider in choosing a

course.

This reviewed literature contributed facts and results from previous studies that help in

the justification of the present study. Researcher revealed that many individuals especially

students would agree that in deciding on whatever specifically on the course is not easy and there

are many factors that the student will face.

 Chapter 3

Methodology

This chapter will present the research design, locale of the study and the respondent of

the study, sampling procedure, research instrument, the administration instrument, scoring

procedure, and the treatment of the data. A descriptive method such as frequency and, percentage

computation, analysis of variance and analysis was used to describe the general findings of the

study. A survey instrument was too utilized to gather data. The survey for the factors that

influence students in choosing a course was administered to senior high school students at

Bukidnon National High School. This survey instrument was designed to obtain the topics

assessment of the relative importance of major college choice factors as well as definite

demographic data.

Research Locale
 Bukidnon National High School was in earlier times named Bukidnon National High

School, which was later retitled Bukidnon Provincial High School by the Republic act 2301.

16
Figure1. The map of Bukidnon National High school.

17
 The school is presently located along the busy street of the Sayre Highway also known as

Fortich Street, making it accessible to any form of land transportation. A towering three-story

building is a district landmark as one approaches the school campus. Bukidnon National High

School sits on an aggregate 12.035 hectares. Bukidnon National High School has been one of the

leader schools in the Division of Bukidnon. Over the years, the school has evolved into various

programs and projects to respond effectively to the diverse needs and interests of students.

The school serves not only the youth of the province but also students who hail from

other places. In its portals are students representing a cross-section of society both from within

and outside of Bukidnon unselective of their ethnic related, religious belief and economic status?

Bukidnon National High School teaches students in grades seventh through tenth in Malaybalay

City, Bukidnon of Northern Mindanao (Region X). The school has 89 instructional rooms and 23

non-instructional rooms, which are all powered by authority grid. With 4,546 students, class size

is around 55 students. Pariso L. Orong is in charge of the school, acting as the school's Principal.

Participants of the Study

The grade 10 class were divided into 17 sections with 58-60 students in every classroom.

Bukidnon National High School has 986 senior high school students projected to graduate 2016.

Not all of the grade 10 students at Bukidnon National High School students was given the

opportunity to take the survey since; we only have to get 20 percent of the population.

18
Research Instrument

For this study, the Likert scale was used to achieve the core objective of the revision. A

self-administered question was distributed to the selected grade, 10 students. The questionnaire

given to the grade 10 students aimed to assess their knowledge about the factors that affect in

choosing their college course. This focus of the assessment were based on the principles

introduced by various author. The study used an adapted questionnaire from the study of Joel P.

Betacura was revised and used to gather the primary information and to attain the objectives of

the study and determined the factors affecting students result in choosing a course was not given

the opportunity to answer the survey because we only aim for the 20% of the population.

In order to mitigate the properties of experimenter bias, the researcher followed the

precautions suggested by Gall, Gall and Borg (2003), namely, (a) provided instructions for the

proctors of the survey, (b) not personally administer the survey, and (c) not inform the proctors

that the reaction of the honours classes would be the investigational group in the study (p.380).

The instructor in each classroom distributed the survey to the students.

Sampling Procedure

The total number of participants was obtained using the slovin’s formula. From the entire

population of 986 grade 10 students, 197 were taken as participants. The selection of 197

students were make by listing the total number of grade 10 students in Bukidnon High School.

19
 The study were conducted among the selected senior high school students of Bukidnon

National High School located at Fortich Street Malaybalay City. The researchers get the valid

result of the respondent through random sampling. Random sampling is a subset of individually

chosen from a larger set (a population). It is an unbiased surveying technique and basic type of

sampling, since it can be a component of other more complex sampling methods. The principle

of random sampling, is that very object has the same probability of being chosen. Senior high

school students were given approximately 20 minutes to take the survey. The completed surveys

was sent back to us. One hundred ninety-seven surveys were returned, with a response rate of 20

percent.

Scoring Procedure

The researchers used the revitalized where each numeric or quantitative score has each

respective qualitative equivalent. The rating and equivalent the qualitative are as follow.

Score Limits Qualitative Description Qualitative Statement

5 4.21-5.00 Strongly Agree Very Influencing

4 3.41-4.20 Agree Influencing

3 2.61-3.40 Neither Moderately Influencing

2 1.81-2.60 Disagree Less Influencing

1 1.00-1.80 Strongly Disagree Not Influencing

20
The Administration of the Instrument

The researcher followed proper protocol in the conduct of the study. First, the researcher

asked for the approval from the instructor of the subject and the Dean of the College of Teacher

Education to conduct ours study. After the approval, a letter was issued from the Supreme

Student Council to the school Principal of Bukidnon National High School that allowed us to

launch the research instrument to the senior high school students of every section. Then the

questionnaire was administered to the senior high students. The entire population of seniors

Treatment of Data

In analysing and understanding the data collected from the study, the following quantity

will be employed:

To answer problem number 1, the factors that have an excessive influence in students’

decision in choosing a course are the academic experience, educational

aspiration/expectation, an advice of others, friends/peer influence and parents’

background, the mean and standard deviation will be used.

Chapter 4
 Presentation, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data

This chapter comprises the presentation, analysis and interpretation of data about the

problems stated in chapter one. It further decodes the most imperative knowledge and

understandings necessary for drawing conclusions and recommendations. This part describes the

factors influencing students’ decision choosing a course.

The purpose of this study was to define the importance of considering some factors that

powers student’s decision in picking a course to high school seniors and to know if there are

differences in the relative importance ascribed to these factors, according to demographic

attributes of the students.

Factors that has the greatest influence on student’s decision in choosing an academic track.

Table 1.
Academic experience x sd R QD
High school grades can be a factor that influences the most. 4.85 0.41 1 Strongly
Agree
Your interest in a certain subject 4.17 0.63 2 Agree
Passion affects your decision to what course to take. 4.09 0.90 3 Agree
Talent, skill and ability based. 4.68 0.65 4 Strongly
agree
Valedictorian or a salutatorian factor. 3.85 0.70 5 Agree
Average 3.77 0.94 Agree

22
 Table 1 represents the factors that have the greatest influence on student’s decision in

choosing a college degree in terms of academic experience. The results in the table only imply

all about the grades. It concludes that the senior student often considers their scores as one of the

factors on choosing a course. This result was connected with the statement of Paulsen (1990),

after reviewing previous research, concluded that a person is more likely to desire to college

“when student academic aptitude is greater” and “when student academic achievement is

bigger.”

Table 2.
Educational aspiration/expectation x Sd R QD
4.91 0.29 1 Strongly
Parents expectation on what you will be in the future
agree
When you are worthy in literacy, it is required that you 4.87 0.32 2 Strongly
should take a course related to your skill. agree
To be engaged in an activity that will enhance your ability 4.57 0.23 3 Strongly
and talent can give a large impact in making decisions agree
Based on you wanted to become 3.76 0.64 4 Agree
Grades can affect your decision in choosing a course 3.64 0.76 5 Agree
Average 4.35 0.47 Strongly
agree

Table 2 represents the educational aspiration as one of the five factors which can

influence students on choosing a course. These result was related with this statement; “Parents,

in particular, have been seen as the most significant others in shaping aspirations because they

provide the opportunities, encouragement and supports for their children’s learning” (Garg et al.,

2002). This statement support the answer above which is the parent’s expectation on what will be
 23

the future of the student tomorrow. The lowest results were all about the grades, possibly

because there are many schools now offer a different kind of courses that grades is not the basis

of all.

Table3.
Adviced of others x sd R QD
A person around you has a lot of knowledge than you, 3.58 0.63 1 Agree
and then makes them as a basis.
People who offer unsolicited advice from this motivation 3.57 0.62 2 Agree
may have a lot of knowledge in a firm area that pertains
to your situation.
People offer advice just because of the simple purpose 2.95 0.91 3 Neither
that they think they can help you.
Some advice-givers would like to take the role of ‘more 2.61 0.93 4 Neither
knowledgeable person’ in the relationship dynamic, and
giving advice puts them in that position.
Advises can be worthy and relevant to your situation. 2.97 1.21 5 Neither
Average 3.13 0.86 Neither

Table 3 represents the factors that can affect the most in the students on what course they

will choose. The common of the respondents was in favour and agreed with the statement

“people around you has a lot of knowledge than you, resulting to have advised from them, and

then make them as a basis.” The results were the same and compatible with (Mathay, 1989;

Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, 1986), he said, and he found friends and

peers and many other people around the environment to be influential in the academic track

choice process.
 24

Table4.
Friends/peer influence x sd R QD
Peer influence will take you on a right path. 4.26 0.58 1 Strongly
agree
I do believe on what my friends said. 3.72 1.33 2 Agree
The friend’s statement can influence career choice. 3.28 1.60 3 Neither
Friends in this new generation can be a tool in taking the 3.16 1.07 4 Neither
right thing included the course that you will take.
Friend’s course can be a factor in taking a course. 2.34 0.90 5 Disagree
Average 3.35 1.10 Neither

Table 4 represents the friends or peer influence as a factor in deciding what degree

should take. The majority of the respondents said peer influence will take the defendant on the

right path. The result was related with the statement according to Skinner, M.L. et.al. (2009),

investigated the impact of parental influence and peer group influence on the decision of a

student.
 25

Table5.
Family background x sd R QD
Having degree holder parents can be a factor on deciding 4.90 0.31 1 Strongly
what course to take. agree
Poor parents will be the reason on the path that I will 3.50 1.18 2 Agree
take.
Abundant parents can be one of the factors. 4.28 1.07 3 Strongly
agree
Single guardian. 3.22 0.41 4 Neither
Extended parentages. 2.41 0.95 5 Disagree
Average 3.67 0.74 Agree

Table 5 represents the kind of family of the respondents in which it can also be a factor

in choosing a career degree. Connected with the statement, this is a “father or mother or an

individual serving as a mentor or guide for a dependent child” (Thomas, 2003, p. 16). This study

explored “the influence that parents (or guardians) have on their child’s decision to attend one

institution rather than another” (Rowe, 2002, p. 10). The result of the factors, the family

background, was so high, almost the entire respondent chooses agree as the result was the

highest of all. It could be because of the tradition that whatever the work of your parents is also

the same with the work of the offspring.

 26

Summary of the factors which have the greatest influence on Student’s Decision in Choosing a

College Degree

Factors x sd QD
Educational aspiration/expectation 4.15 0.47 Strongly agree
Academic Experience 4.11 0.70 Agree
Family background 3.67 1.74 Agree
Friends/peer influence 3.35 1.10 Agree
Advice from others 3.13 0.86 neither

Table 6 shows the summary of the factors have the greatest influence on Student’s Decision in

Choosing a College Degree regarding of academic experience, educational

aspiration/expectation, recommendation from other, friends or peer influence and family

background. The overall mean is qualitatively described as moderately influencing. Among the

five factors, educational aspiration had the highest mean followed by the academic experience.

The third one is the family background followed by the 2nd lowest means, the friends or peer

influence and the advice from others.

 Chapter 5

Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation

This chapter summarizes the result of the study followed by the conclusion based on the

findings and recommendation for the factors that influences student’s choice for a college course.

Summary

In general, this study aims to determine the factor that effects student’s decision in

choosing a course of senior high school students in Bukidnon National High School in terms of

academic ability, educational aspiration, and advice of other, friends/peer influence and parents’

background. Analysis also presented on which of the independent variables significantly has a

large impact on the student’s decision.

The study conducted at Bukidnon National High School, Fortich St., Malaybalay City,

Bukidnon. The respondents randomly selected by the researchers through a selection method

from 17 sections in 4th grade 10.

This study used a revised questionnaire intended to firm information on the factors

influencing student’s decision in choosing a course. Frequency distribution and percentage

counting was used to answer the objectives of the study.

 28

Findings

Based on the analysis and interpretation of the data gathered, the following answers

drawn;

The academic experience is the most influencing factor in choosing junior, senior academic

track.

1. Recommendation of others, friends/ peer encouragement and family background has a

moderate influence in taking the course. But it might change the decision of the student

because of these factors.

Conclusions

The following are the finishes of this study:

1. The factors influencing students’ decision in choosing a course appears to be significant

to students from Bukidnon National High School as their bases in picking what course to

take.

2. Academic experience and Educational aspiration– appear to have a greater impact in

choosing a course.

3. Among High School students in Bukidnon National High School, the academic ability

may account for differences in assessment of the importance of choosing a course.

 29

Recommendations

Given of the findings and conclusion, the following recommendations were put forward:

1. Parents should have educational savings for their children for the preparation in their

college.

2. Future studies should verify student’s self-reported grade averages with their actual

scores.

3. The guidance office should identify students who have the problem in choosing the

course and offer to counsel.

4. Offer more scholarship program to help students who financially hand up.

5. Parents should support the passion and interest of their children.

6. Students should base on their talent, skill and ability in choosing junior, senior academic

track.

7. Students should know what he wanted to become.

8. Students should take advice from a knowledgeable person that can be decent or relevant

to your situation.
 30

References

Anderson, P. (1999). Factors influencing student choice in higher education.

Perspectives, 3(4), 128-131.
Bers, T. H., & Galowich, P. M. (2002). Using survey and focus group research to learn
about parents' roles in the community college choice process. Community
College Review, 29(4), 67-82.
Bers, T. H., & Galowich, P. M. (2002). Using survey and focus group research to learn about
parents' roles in the college degree choice process. Community
College Review, 29(4), 67-82.
Dawes, P. L., & Brown, J. (2002). Determinants of awareness, consideration, and choice set size
in university choice. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education,
12(1), 49-75.
Gall, M. D., Gall, J. P., & Borg, W. R. (2003). Educational research: An introduction
(7thed.). New York: Allyn and Bacon.

Hossler, D. (2000). The role of financial aid in enrollment management. In The role student
aid plays in enrollment management (pp. 77-90). San Francisco: Jossey-
Bass Publishers.

Hossler, D., Braxton, J., & Coopersmith, G. (1989). Understanding student college choice.
In J. C. Smart (Ed.), Higher education: Handbook of theory and research
(Vol. V, pp. 231-288). New York: Agathon Press.

Hossler, D., & Foley, E. M. (1995). Reducing the noise in the college choice process: The
use of college guidebooks and ratings. In R. D. Walleri & M. K. Moss (Eds.),
Evaluating and responding to college guidebooks and rankings (pp. 21-30). San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Lange, D. K., & Stone, M. E. (2001). Parental involvement in admissions and financial aid. In
B. V. Daniel & B. S. Ross (Eds.), Consumers, adversaries, and partners:
Working with the families of undergraduates (pp. 15-26). San Francisco: Jossey-
Bass Publishers.
Bukidnon State University
College of Teacher Education
Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

Factors Affecting Students’ Decision in Choosing a College Degree

 31

General Instuction: Read each item carefully and answer the following questions provided
below. (Please be assured that all of the answers provided herein shall be kept confidential.
Please indicate (✓) mark on the appropriate box.

Name: ______________________________ Grade and Section: ___________

Age: ______

Chapter I

Please read each item carefully. Use the scale below to guide you in checking the appropriate
column that best describes your factors greatest influence on choosing a degree.

Score Limits Qualitative Description Qualitative Statement

5 4.21-5.00 Strongly agree Very influencing
4 3.41-4.20 Agree Moderately influencing
3 2.61-3.40 Neither Neither influencing
2 1.81-2.60 Dis-agree Less influencing
1 1.00-1.80 Strongly dis-agree Not influencing

Academic experience 5 4 3 2 1
Passion affects your decision to what course to take.
Your interest in a certain subject
High school grades can be a factor that influence the most
Talent, skill and ability based.
Valedictorian or a salutatorian factor.
 32

Educational aspiration/expectation 5 4 3 2 1
Grades can affect your decision in choosing a course.
Based on you wanted to become
To be engaged in an activity that will enhance your skill and talent can give
a big impact in making decisions.
When you have the numeracy skill, it should be necessary to take a course
which are related to your skill.
When you are good in literacy, it is required that you should take a course
related to your skill.

Advice of others 5 4 3 2 1
People offer advice just because of the simple reason that they think they
can help you.
People who offer unsolicited advice from this motivation may have a lot of
knowledge in a certain area that pertains to your situation.
Some people need to be in the role of ‘teacher’ all the time, or perhaps just
like to hear they pontificate.
Some advice-givers would like to take the role of ‘more knowledgeable
person’ in the relationship dynamic, and giving advice puts them in that
position.
Advises can be good and relevant to your situation.

Friends/peer influence 5 4 3 2 1
1. Friends in this new generation can be a tool in taking the right thing
included the course that you will take.
2. Friend’s course can be a factor on taking a course.
3. Peer influence will take you in a right path.
4. The friends statement can influence career choice.
5. I do believe on what my friends said.
33

Family background 5 4 3 2 1
Rich parents can be one of the factors on choosing your course.
Poor parents will be the reason on the course that I will take.
Having degree holder parents can be a factor on deciding what course to
take.
Single parent.
Extended parents.
 34

Curriculum Vitae

Personal Data

Name : Nobleza, Marcho B.

Nickname : Cho2x
Birthdate : March 27, 1997
Birth Place : Malipayon, Pangantucan, Bukidnon
Home Address : Malipayon, Pangatucan, Bukidnon
Email Address : nobleza.marcho@yahoo.com
Contact Nos. : 09368613728
Age : 19 years old
Civil Status : Single
Citizenship : Filipino
Religion : Roman Catholic
Father : Nobleza, Raul O.
Mother : Nobleza, Elecia B.
 35

Curriculum Vitae

Personal Data

Name : Valliente, Cleo Bernadette M.

Nickname : Cleo
Birthdate : August 25, 1995
Birth Place : Cagayan De Oro City
Home Address : Wao, Lanao Del Sur
Email Address : cleovllnt95@gmail.com
Contact Nos. : 09061545922
Age : 20
Civil Status : Single
Citizenship : Filipino
Religion : Roman Catholic
Father : Valliente, Noel M.
Mother : Valliente, Evelyn M.
 36

Curriculum Vitae

Personal Data

Name : Albia, Ian Jephonie G.

Nickname : Yan2x
Birthdate : September 3, 1996
Birth Place : Malaybalay, City, Bukidnon
Home Address : Malaybalay, City, Bukidnon
Email Address : albiaian@yahoo.com
Contact Nos. : 09368898988
Age : 19
Civil Status : Single
Citizenship : Filipino
Religion : Baptist
Father : Albia, Roger B.
Mother : Albia, Jun – An G.
 37

Curriculum Vitae

Personal Data

Name : Gayosa, John, Michael, Vincent M.

Nickname : Bensoy
Birthdate : October 28, 1995
Birth Place : Malaybalay, City, Bukidnon
Home Address : Dalwangan, Malaybalay City
Email Address : Johnmaichael_gayosa@yahoo.com
Contact Nos. : 09069670484
Age : 20
Civil Status : Single
Citizenship : Filipino
Religion : Roman Catholic
Father : Gayosa, Eric D.
Mother : Gayosa, Nora M.
 38

Curriculum Vitae

Personal Data

Name : Dollaga, Kaiser Vim

Nickname : Kai
Birthdate : May 7, 1997
Birth Place : Sinabuagan, Valencia City
Home Address : Dabong Dabong, Valencia City
Email Address : Dollagakaiser@gmail.com
Contact Nos. : 09751524513
Age: 18 years old
Civil Status : Single
Citizenship : Filipino
Religion : Iglesia
Father : Dollaga, Noel C.
Mother : Dollaga, Vergie B.